Watergate Burglar Calls Latest Arrest a ‘Setup’

Convicted Watergate burglar Frank Sturgis said Thursday that his arrest on charges of accepting stolen Rolex watches was an “outrageous setup” by police to pressure him into informing on an unidentified suspect.

Sturgis, 62, and another man, Emiljo Cotonat, 47, were arrested Wednesday night and charged with dealing in stolen property. Both are free on bond.

Officers said Sturgis told an undercover policeman that he would use his connections to get a prisoner out of jail early in exchange for several stolen watches worth thousands of dollars.

Police Describe Case

Police Sgt. Tom Tretola, who led the investigation, said Sturgis told the undercover agent “he had friends in Washington . . . people who owe me favors” who could get the subject out of jail.

In a statement read by lawyer Ellis Rubin, Sturgis called the arrest “an outrageous setup.”

“They apparently decided that Sturgis could be squeezed by an arrest and the resulting publicity to turn informant on another targeted suspect,” the statement said. Rubin and Sturgis refused to identify the alleged suspect.

Sturgis, who ran an electronics store in Miami until four years ago, listed his profession as a security consultant, but said he is no longer involved in intelligence work.

Sturgis and four others were caught breaking into the Democratic headquarters at the Watergate building in June, 1972. He served 14 months in prison after pleading guilty.